Sections

Ever since the switch to polytrack, Keeneland’s historic Kentucky Derby
prep the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) has lost some of its luster. Street Sense did
use the race as a steppingstone to his Derby victory in 2007 and several others
have exited the race to run admirably three weeks later, however the Blue Grass
has not featured more than one or two serious prospects since 2006.

2012’s running of the Blue Grass may buck the trend, if not simply offer
more intrigue than any other recent edition. Hansen, the two-year-old Champion and possible Derby
favorite is the likely headliner.
He’ll go against other accomplished runners in Dullahan, who won the Grade
1 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland; Drill, another Grade 1 winner who
will try to reverse his bad fortune going two turns; Prospective, winner of the
Tampa Bay Derby (G2); and Howe Great, an exciting Grade 3 winner on turf. Other
probables include Holy Candy, Adirondack King, Ever So Lucky, Gung Ho, Politicallycorrect,
and Raconteur.

While the Blue Grass is almost two weeks away, there are three major
Derby preps on the immediate horizon this Saturday. The Santa Anita Derby (G1) is arguably the most key with top
contenders Creative Cause, I’ll Have Another, and possibly Bodemeister. However, there is a good chance the
latter will end up in the Arkansas Derby (G1) a week later. Bodemeister worked a supposedly
impressive 6-furlongs at Santa Anita Monday// The Wood Memorial still looks to
net graded winners Alpha and Gemologist on the entry sheet, along with My
Adonis, The Lumber Guy, Tiger Walk, Casual Trick, and Street Life// The
Illinois Derby, a race hardly anyone speaks of, is suddenly all the rage with
trainers hoping for entry into the Kentucky Derby through the side door. It is reported that the list of
hopefuls is as high as 20, with only 14 able to make the cut. High on the graded earnings list for
the race are Longview Drive, who may not make the trip, and Hopeful (G1) winner
Currency Swap, who finished 2nd in his three-year-old debut against Gemologist. After them, the earnings get slim with
horses who finished 4th, 5th, and worse in graded
stakes. A full list of probables
can be seen in the article linked below.

More fallout from the Florida Derby with critical commentary on Julien
Leparoux’s ride on Union Rags and a recent surge of Derby attention towards
Take Charge Indy// Mark Valeski, who finished 2nd in the Louisiana Derby,
apparently lost a shoe and is a little banged up from the race. Despite his questionable amount of
graded earnings he will not race again before the Derby// It was announced
Trinniberg, winner of the 7-furlong Swale (G2) will stick to sprinting in his
next race, which is Saturday’s Bay Shore (G3) at Aqueduct. From there the plan
is to bypass the Derby and point for the Preakness// New rankings were released
below. Steve Haskin kept Union Rags in the #2 spot// more…